In the mega-expanded Big Ten, having an elite mind on the sidelines is the ultimate difference between contending for a national championship and scrambling for bowl eligibility. USA Today ran a comprehensive audit to rank every single Big Ten head coach heading into the 2026 season. From Curt Cignetti crowning an incredible national title run in Bloomington to top Ryan Day and Dan Lanning, to blockbuster moves like Kyle Whittingham taking over Michigan and Matt Campbell landing at Penn State, we break down the entire 18-team hierarchy. Check out our complete tactical breakdown to see where your favorite team's head coach lands entering 2026.

USA Today's Big Ten College Football Head Coaches Ranked 1-18: Going Into Week 10

Ranking the Top 10 Most Disappointing College Football Teams Going Into Week 10

ESPN Predicts Final Record for All 18 Big Ten Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 10

ESPN Ranks College Football's 25 2-Loss Teams by Strength of Schedule Ahead of Week 10

ESPN Ranks College Football's 11 1-Loss Teams by Most Likely to Make the CFP Right Now

ESPN Ranks College Football's 11 1-Loss Teams by Strength of Schedule Going Into Week 10

Ranking the Top 10 Potential Upsets for College Football Week 10

ESPN Ranks College Football's 3 Undefeated Teams by Strength of Schedule Right Now

LATEST Dawson Merritt NEWS

Top college football picks include Boston College +7, Utah -4, Alabama +6.5 and the Iowa-Northwestern under, with matchup analysis for each bet today.

College Football Best Bets: Boston College, Utah, Albama

Notre Dame&#039;s No. 11 ranking sparks debate, while Miami looks poised to cover 7.5 points. The prediction: Notre Dame survives a tense 28-27 rivalry showdown.

Notre Dame vs. Miami: Ranking Debate and Game Prediction

Georgia visits Ole Miss as a 3.5-point favorite in a clash of top-10 teams. With Georgia&#039;s defense surging and Ole Miss shorthanded, take the under 56.5.

Georgia vs. Ole Miss Prediction: Bet the Under 56.5

Tennessee hosts Kentucky in a low-scoring SEC matchup. See why the Volunteers may cover, while Kentucky&#039;s points and the game under remain appealing bets.

Tennessee vs. Kentucky Prediction: Spread and Under Pick

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View the profile of Nebraska Cornhuskers LB Dawson Merritt on SportsGrid. Get the latest news, stats, player prop picks, related players, and more on SportsGrid.com.

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LATEST Dawson Merritt

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Class

#40 · NEB · LB

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Pierce Mooberry

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Dawson Merritt is a LB for the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the NCAAF.

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Ranking Every NFL Defense Right Now: All 32 Teams Ranked Going into Week 9

Polymarket SNF Promo Code GRIDS for Buccaneers at Bears: Trade $10, Get $25 Bonus

Kalshi NFL Promo Code GRIDS for Week 9: Packers at Patriots on Sunday, November 8th

Polymarket NFL Invite Code GRIDS for Week 9: Trade $10, Get $25 for Jets at Chiefs on Sunday, November 8th

Polymarket NFL Promo Code GRIDS Week 9 International Game: Trade $10, Get $25 for Bengals at Falcons

Kalshi CFB Promo Code GRIDS for College Football Week 10: Georgia at Ole Miss on November 7th

Ranking The Top 5 Potential Upsets For NFL Week 9

HEADLINES

Runnin&#39; Rebels improve to 2-0 with gutsy win over Samford

Hawaii sets program record with 72-point rout of Bethesda in Rainbow Classic opener

Freshman phenom leads the way in No. 22 UCLA&#39;s beatdown of North Florida

TST Images: UCLA defeats North Florida, 114-63, in Los Angeles

NCAAB

No. 5 UCLA continues to defy expectations after win over Minnesota

Ty Dieffenbach, Aiden Mizell air out Minnesota in 34-20 win to keep UCLA unbeaten

The Lakers proved that the oldest lie in basketball is actually true in win over Blazers

Luka Dončić is the MVP favorite but the 8-2 Lakers are the real story

Lakers rally past Blazers behind Dončić’s 53 points

The Coachella Valley Lakers era starts off with a win

Predicting the 8 NFL Division Winners Right Now: Going Into Week 9

TST Today: Should the Ravens Trade Lamar Jackson? Notre Dame-Miami & the CFP Rankings Fight

Jets vs. Chiefs Betting Preview: Total & Spread Picks

Chargers vs. Texans: Picks, Spread and Herbert Talk

Ducks erase two-goal deficit, defeat Flames for fourth straight win

Ranking the 15 Worst NHL Free Agency Signings of the 2026 Offseason

Ducks score 5 in 6th straight, hold off Oilers for 3rd straight win

Trevor Connelly continues road trip to remember in Golden Knights’ win over Detroit

Bob Nightengale's MVP & Manager of the Year Award Predictions

Top MLB Landing Spots & Contract Outlook for Japanese Star Sato

Albert Pujols Interviews for Houston Astros Manager Job

Bob Nightengale Talks Lockout, Salary Cap Debate & League Parity

SDFC closes 2026 campaign with 1-0 defeat to Sporting Kansas City

Del Mar Saturday: The Chosen Vron Stakes Highlights Cal-breds

Oregon vs. Ohio State: Playoff Stakes and Betting Pick

Georgia vs. Ole Miss: Betting Preview and Under Pick

LSU vs. Alabama Preview: Odds, Rankings and Best Bets

Notre Dame vs. Miami Odds Shift After Malachi Toney Injury

College Football Rankings Show Slammed as Pointless

Texas vs. Missouri: Playoff Stakes and Betting Picks

Utah vs. BYU Preview: Big 12 Title Stakes & Betting Pick

Lott takes over in Lady Rebels&#39; dominant first win

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Falcons vs. Bengals in Madrid: NFL Game Preview

Miami Must Run the Ball and Control the Clock

Georgia vs. Ole Miss: Early Edge Goes to Bulldogs

BYU vs. Utah Football: Rivalry Odds Preview

Why College Football Isn't Developing NFL QBs

SPORTSGRID SHORTS

Mack&#39;s career-high 31 points propel UNLV to season opening win

SDSU offense explodes in season opener with six in double-figures to top Titans

TST Images: San Diego State defeats Cal State Fullerton, 102-78, in San Diego

TST Images: UNLV defeats NAU, 89-77, at Thomas & Mack Center

Most Outstanding Player Odds: Mara, Reed Lead the Pack

National Championship Odds: Michigan Leads, Arizona Trails Behind

National Championship Odds Analysis: Michigan Leads the Pack

National Championship Odds: Arizona and Michigan Lead the Pack

UConn vs. Michigan Rematch: Hurley Targets Revenge

Trevor Manhertz Focusing on Defensive Growth as Offense Will Come

Darren Harris' Career Night Propels the Hoosiers Past Bellarmine

College Basketball Takeaways: Illinois, Duke and Florida

2026-27 College Basketball Futures: Experience & Value Picks

Florida Basketball’s Continuity Stands Out in NIL Era

Tyran Stokes Makes His Highly Anticipated Kansas Debut

2026-27 College Basketball Title Odds: Florida, UConn and More

What a 24-Team CFP Field Looks Looks Like Based on the College Football Playoff Rankings

USA TODAY's Top 15 College Football Quarterbacks Going Into Week 10

Phil Steele's 25 Hardest 2026 Schedules: Going Into Week 10

ESPN Predicts the Final Record For All 16 SEC Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 10

ESPN Predicts the Record for All 25 Teams in CFP Rankings Right Now: Going Into Week 10

Heisman Odds and Notre Dame’s Path to Beating Miami

Alabama vs. LSU Betting Odds, Spread and Game Preview

Ohio State vs. Oregon Betting Picks: Under and Rushes

Iowa vs. Northwestern: Bet the Big Ten Under at 43.5

Florida vs. Oklahoma: Gators Pick to Cover in the Swamp

UCLA vs. Minnesota Betting Lean, Odds and CFP Stakes

Tennessee vs. Kentucky: Betting Preview & Best PBet

TST Images: Lakers defeat Trailblazers, 124-118, at Crypto.com Arena

TST Images: Coachella Valley Lakers defeat Salt Lake City Stars, 104-98, at Acrisure Arena

Lakers vs. Trail Blazers: What to watch in NBA Cup rematch

TST Best Bets: November 6, 2026

The Lakers Return to Their Home Away From Home: Coachella Valley Lakers Season Preview

Luka Doncic passes Victor Wembanyama as NBA MVP favorite after historic start to season

Western Conference Odds: Minnesota Value and Lakers’ Hot Start

NBA Futures: Predictions for Top Teams and Players This Season

TST Best Bets: November 4, 2026

TST Best Bets: November 2, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 28, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 27, 2026

Giannis-Miami Tensions Rise as Doc Rivers Sounds Alarm

76ers Surge With LeBron, Embiid and Title Expectations

Why Giannis and the Miami Heat Are Off to a Slow Start

76ers' Elite Defense Fuels Hot 8-1 Start and Title Hopes

Ranking the NFL's 15 Most-Likely Playoff Teams Right Now: Going Into Week 9

Things aren&#39;t unfolding how Aaron Donald and the Rams envisioned, but he&#39;s here and enjoying it

Week 9 Start &#39;Em, Sit &#39;Em Fantasy Defenses/Kickers

Week 9 Start &#39;Em, Sit &#39;Em Fantasy Quarterbacks

ESPN Predicts the 14-Team NFL Playoff Field Right Now: Going Into Week 9

Are the Jacksonville Jaguars Legitimate AFC Contenders?

Cleveland Browns Playoff Odds: Bet the AFC North Run?

AFC North Betting: Sell Steelers, Trust Joe Burrow?

Ravens vs. Jaguars Props: Derrick Henry & Mark Andrews Tonight

Derrick Henry Props: Bet the Over or Back the Jaguars?

Trevor Lawrence TNF Props & Coach of the Year Predictions

Seahawks-Bears Props: Smith-Njigba Receiving Yards & RB Props

Week 9 Betting Picks: Rams-Commanders and Falcons-Bengals

Why the Dallas Cowboys Keep Letting Their Fans Down

Seattle vs. Arizona Odds: Spread, Total and Pick Analysis

Jaguars Crush Ravens as Fignano Struggles at Quarterback

Adrian Kempe’s Hat Trick fuels Kings in 7-2 rout of Sharks

Reign plummet to 5-game losing streak in overtime loss to Barracuda

TST Images: Kings defeat Sharks, 7-2, at Crypto Arena

Another Gauthier hat trick, Ducks hot power play payback Canucks

2026-27 NHL Season Begins: Key Teams and Betting Tips

2027 Stanley Cup Odds: Colorado, Vegas, and Edmonton Lead Pack

Conn Smythe Market Prices: Mitch Marner Heads to the Top

Stanley Cup Showdown: Vegas vs. Carolina for the Title

TST Best Bets: November 5, 2026

TST Best Bets: November 3, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 29, 2026

TST Best Bets: October 26, 2026

Are Connor Hellebuyck and the Devils True Stanley Cup Contenders?

Canadiens Blow 4-0 Lead as Jets End Nine-Game Skid

Kucherov Trade Demand Puts Tampa Bay Lightning in Bind

Cooper Black to Become Tallest Goalie in NHL History

Dodgers open as favorites to win 2027 World Series despite Brewers&#39; dominant championship season

Angels decline Kurt Suzuki’s managerial option

TST Best Bets: October 16, 2026

Dodgers&#39; historic three-peat dream is over, ending a golden era in Los Angeles

Dawson Merritt

#40 · NEB · LB

HT/WT

6’3”, 230 lbs

Birthplace

Stilwell, KS, USA

Class

Sophomore

LATEST Dawson Merritt NEWS

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